CHAP. CIII, 



.SALICA X CE;E. 



14-73 



on each side of each rib, and turned upwards ; the whole being kept in an 

 upright position by being bound slightly together at their upper extremities. 

 Rods are now interwoven between these upright rods, as high as required for 

 the depth of the basket ; after which the rods are loosened at the top, and 

 their ends brought down and plaited into an edge or brim, which, as we have be- 

 fore observed with regard to splitting the willows, is an operation much more 

 easily and rapidly performed than described. A small round basket or ham- 

 per is now produced, like those in which potatoes are exposed for sale in the 

 London markets, and to this a handle may be added by inserting in the inter- 

 woven part of the sides two or three rods close together, at opposite points 

 of the rim, pushing them down to near the bottom, and plaiting their upper 

 ends together so as to form a handle. A handle is also sometimes made by 

 forcing down the ends of a thick rod, in the woven work, before the rim is 

 completed ; and plaiting round it two or more of the ends of the rods which 

 form the ribs from each side. The durability of the Scotch basket is much 

 greater than that of the English one ; not only on account of the greater du- 

 rability of the handle and ribs, but, in the case of peeled rods, by the bark 

 being loosened by boiling, instead of by the rising of the sap. 



Both modes of basket-making will readily be understood from the follow- 

 ing figures : 



1277 



Fig. 1277. shows the handle and rim of the commonest form of Scotch 

 basket, made fast at the points of intersection. 



Fig. 1278. shows the same skeleton, with the ribs of one side added, and 

 the wattling, or woven work, commenced. 



1279 



Fig. 1279. shows the commencement of the English mode of basket-making ; 

 in which a represents the six rods that are to form the bottom of the basket, 



5 D 2 



